Frank Baines Saddles

[Bensmom]

Ok, this is a spending $ thread, rather than a safety thread. :)

I am not ready to buy -- yet. But, my friends and I spent a good long while with Frank Baines in the british tent Saturday morning at Rolex.

I REALLY liked the dressage saddle he helped me pick out.

So, while I am saving my pennies up, I'd like to hear from any of you guys that has a Frank Baines -- either dressage or jumping.

Do you like it? Were you happy with the planning and ordering process?

Talking with the actual saddler himself was Very Cool. :yes: :)

Libby (how again did I get three narrow horses after years of wide-wide-wide?!)

[luise]

In my never ending search for dressage saddles, I tried the Frank Baines Elegance and Omni. I thought they were gorgeous saddles. Beautiful leather and very well made. The Elegance was very comfortable. In the end I didn't get the Elegance because the thigh block was getting in my way, but I still thought the saddle was great. Apparently they will customize the saddle for you though.

[Fence2Fence]

You might try posting this or searching the Dressage forum for this--I vaguely recall it being discussed over there.

Supposedly extremely nice saddles.

[SpoiledHorse]

I have a Frank Baines jumping saddle (Reflex) and love it. But I bought it on consignment, so I can't say anything about the ordering process. :winkgrin:

[3dazey]

I have a Frank Baines Reflex dressage and I love it. Such quality for the $, it's unbelievable. I competed in it in the pouring rain 2 weekends ago, which was the first time it's gotten wet. Guess what? NO trashed breeches! The saddle held it's dye and that speaks volumes to the excellent tanning process and leather quality. Both County's I've had destroyed expensive full-seat breeches whenever they got rained on. :mad:

I got mine from Kim at engagesaddles.com, she is super to work with.

[Bensmom]

3dazey -- Kim is who I worked with in getting my new Black Country jumping saddle -- I fell in love with the Omni dressage at Rolex and it is on my "to be ordered list" and hopefully soon!

I'll search the dressage forum too. I am pretty sure that is what I'm going to buy, but it never hurts to check out opinions. (Plus, then when you gather enough $ up to buy, you can convince yourself that you did research and all and made sure it was the right thing to do, versus sitting in the saddle and going "oooooh, I'll be having one of these, please!" which was what really happened. :lol: )

[easyklc]

I tried this saddle last year when I was trying to find a decent WIDE saddle for my monster mare. I loved this saddle. It was comfortable, semi-deep and I didn't feel like I couldn't move around in the seat. Scrumptious leather and very good quality. It was out of my budget at the time, but I would have purchased it. Save, save, save...

Contact Kim P. at Engage saddles. Sometimes she has demos or used ones for sale.

[baymare]

I am a charter member of the "I Love my County" clique for jumping saddles; and now I can say the same for Frank Baines dressage saddles. I got one off e-bay (!) a couple of months ago and just love it. I had tried MANY dressage saddles-- have been looking off and on for a couple of years before taking a chance on this one. It is the Capriole, which is very plain and "open" rather than "wedgied" in the seat, which I love. The tree is a medium wide, and fits both my rather meaty Appendix/paint and my husband's Hanoverian very well. Trumbull Mountain carries at least three Baines models and has a great trial policy if you are hankering to try one. If there is anything that could raise the remotest possibility of me actually enjoying dressage, this saddle is it! And the horses love it, too. Good luck.

[3dazey]

Bensmom, I have to confess that Kim also sold me a BC Wexford jumping saddle for the new horse...and oh, do I love that one. Plus, it was a demo that just happened to be the perfect fit, so I got a really sweet deal. Happy, happy, happy.

Yeah, I'd say Kim & I are pretty close now!!! :lol::lol:

I haven't seen the FB dressage model you're talking about but would love to. His saddles are truly yummy. How cool that you got to meet him in person...he must be a nice guy to make such beautiful stuff!

[Bensmom]

Oh, he was awesome!

He spent a really long time with us and in fact, described working with us as "a breath of fresh air" as we knew so much about saddles and what we liked and didn't like -- I told him that Ben had not had 13 saddles bought for him for nothing! At least I learned *something* :lol:

I thought I would like the reflex, but LOVED the omni. Just loved it.

So, with all the positive feedback, now I just need to find the $ :D

[lacy859]

I too spoke to Frank at Rolex and sat in pretty much every dressage saddle I could. My absolute fave to sit in was the Omni, but followed closely by the Elegance. I found a barely used Elegance online which I ordered and am expecting to get in next week..... I have not sat in the dressage saddles yet on a horse but have rode/jumped in the Reflex CC and it is really comfortable and great quality (expecially the buffalo...). the CC also does not have really big knee rolls, which is good for me.

[mbarrett]

I am, too, a big fan of Frank Baines saddles. I have a Reflex jumping saddle and LOVE it.

[366474]

I am very excited to hear such positive reviews. I hadn't really heard of the Baines saddles and just got one on trial for a week. It fits my horse perfectly. They are very modestly priced and I hope it is as great as everyone says!

[red mare]

I have a Frank Baines Elegance dressage saddle which I have had for nearly 10 years. I got it to replace a semi-custom new JRD saddle which my horse HATED. The people that sold me the JRD saddle replaced it with the Frank Baines customized with a shorter flap (I'm short) and measured my horse. Initially, I was concerned about the deeper seat and higher pommel than I was accustomed to but figured if my horse liked it, I could adjust. I0 years later, I still like it and my horse still likes it so for me it is THE saddle. And when I said she hated the other saddle -I mean hated--rearing, girthy, pissed off--not fun.

The saddle has held up well and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. A trainer that I have worked with from Europe who isn't a big fan of English made saddles even said this was a very nice saddle!

[TheOtherHorse]

I don't have one myself, but have ridden in my friend's Frank Baines monoflap dressage saddle (not sure what model it is?), and I must say that it is by far the best dressage saddle I've ever ridden in. It is soooo comfy and puts me in the correct position easily. I definitely want one.